Caption: Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley after voting on Monday. AZP News/Alicia Chamely
By Alicia Chamely
SHOW genuine concern for constituents.
This was the advice given to first-time candidate for Diego Martin West Hans des Vignes by seat’s former MP and leader of the People’s National Movement Dr Keith Rowley.
Speaking to the media after casting his vote at the International School of Port-of-Spain, Westmoorings, on Monday, Rowley was asked what advice he had given des Vignes as he contested the constituency that Rowley had held for the last 34 years.
He said, “Be genuinely concerned about the people you are representing. Once there is a genuine concern for them, everything will naturally flow from that.”
Questioned about his retirement from politics, he said while he may have resigned as Prime Minister and did not contest a candidacy as a Member of Parliament, his full retirement will come when the PNM calls internal elections, which indicated would be held later this year.
Rowley said he looked forward to the day after elections when his retirement from being an MP would begin and had plans to just relax with family and friends in the coming days.
Discussing what he will miss being an active member of government, Rowley said he will miss the responsibility of public life but was looking forward to no longer having such a demanding schedule.
He said he would always be available to mentor the youth and young politicians.
After joining the PNM in 1981, Rowley announced his retirement from politics on March 16th of this year.
